Electric Vehicle Awareness

To help educate people on EV etiquette including when to charge, the BCIT Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) teamed up with three BCIT Digital Design and Development students, Tasha Vithaya, Emily Kwok-Choon, and Ashlynn Chen, to design and produce three short animated videos to help illustrate the proper way of good etiquette when charging an electric vehicle. SMART student researcher Maria Bushmin presented two workshops to the BCIT community on EV (EV 101 and EV 102) and from her development and research on these workshops and in consultation with BCIT EV expert Kelly Carmichael and social science researcher Joey Dabell, the three personas were developed.

• The EV Etiquette videos and project have been featured in BCIT News.
• The project won the 2021 ECO Canada Community Impact Award, which recognizes positive environmental projects from across the country by groups that have displayed environmental advocacy, sustainable initiatives, and skill-building. Read more >>
• BCIT Dean Applied Research Kim Dotto spoke about the EV Etiquette project on Business in Vancouver’s Technology podcast
• Tesla Canada has picked up the videos: Don’t be an Ian Icer, Olivia Overstayer, or Peter Perker – BCIT creates EV etiquette videos to help educate drivers.

The videos: Meet our three drivers who need a refresher on their EV etiquette

• Olivia Overstayer drives an EV and takes too much time charging her vehicle, preventing other EV drivers from getting a chance to charge.
• Ian Icer drives an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car and parks in spots designated for EV charging.
• Peter Perker is an EV driver who thinks the charging station is used for VIP parking.

BCIT Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) received $300,000 in funding through Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN)’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI) to help raise awareness about EV in underrepresented communities. BCIT’s project, “Fueling Change – Education for a Zero Emissions Future” will enable BCIT researchers, faculty, and partners collaborate in identifying barriers to EV adoption among underrepresented communities including persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and youth with an emphasis on rural and remote areas.

The “Fueling Change” project aims to build awareness, educate, and demonstrate the positive attributes of passenger EVs – in an effort to encourage Canadians to make the switch to zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and reduce pollution from the transportation sector. Specifically, one of the project outcomes will include delivery of a free online microcredential course which will be made accessible and available to all Canadians.

Project Announcement: A Zero Emissions Future: BCIT receives funding to help raise electric vehicle (EV) awareness in underrepresented communities (May 18, 2023)

Jennifer Figner, Vice President, Academic, BCIT

“The Fueling Change – Education for a Zero Emissions Future initiative is a natural extension of work already underway at BCIT to assist Canadians adapt and thrive in the green economy.  We appreciate the financial contribution from the Government of Canada and look forward to releasing a new electric vehicle microcredential in the coming the months.”

Dr. Yvette Jones, Project Leader, MAKE+ and Ms. Joey Dabell, Project Leader, SMART, Applied Research, were awarded BCIT Institute Research Funds of $25,000 for 2023/24 for the project “Creating an equitable and inclusive experience for fully accessible EV charging”.

Background: British Columbia leads Canadian provinces in the electric vehicle (EV) transition, yet most cities have no fully accessible EV charging stations, which creates barriers for drivers with disabilities. Maneuvering wheelchairs, transfers in and out of the vehicle, curb access, lifting the charger cable and handling the connection are just some of the challenges. Also, there are currently no standards guiding EV charging station accessibility. This isn’t a new problem. Similar challenges exist today for persons with disabilities accessing petrol stations that were never designed with this community in mind. But now we are at a point where we can “get it right” for EV charging infrastructure. Despite forming 15% of the population, this community has been largely excluded from activities surrounding climate action, including green transportation.

The goal of this research is to identify ways to enable this community to participate in creating a positive change and to enjoy the benefits of sustainable and healthy practices through full and equitable access to EV infrastructure.

Specific Objectives:

1. Physical access to equipment
2. Guidelines and Policies to support EV charger accessibility
3. Technologies to support EV charger accessibility
4. Fully accessible EV charging and parking station design and demonstration

The project outcomes will provide guidelines for municipal codes, government programs, utilities, and industry for accessible EV charging. The project aims to reduce barriers to EV adoption for persons with mobility disabilities and help to ensure this community is not left behind.